Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Earlier this month, the House passed the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act which would increase funding for childhood disease research, including childhood cancer. This bill has been renamed after 10-year-old Gabriella Miller, a patient who lost her battle with a brain tumor in October. In her honor, groups from across the country are trying to increase funding for pediatric disease research – and it's working!

This bill got strong bi-partisan support in the House. As it faces a potential vote in the Senate, we need every advocate to stand together in memory of Gabriella and in support of kids across the country who are fighting cancer and other childhood diseases.

This bill will reassign money from the Presidential Election Campaign Fund to expand pediatric disease research. Instead of paying for massive political party conventions, this much-needed funding will be redirected toward a 10-year study at the National Institutes of Health where it will be used to support research and improve treatments for childhood cancer, diabetes, and many other pediatric diseases – all without costing taxpayers a penny more.

Since the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society was founded in 1949, survival rates for different blood cancers have doubled… tripled… and in some cases, even quadrupled! This is the result of innovative research – including studies that were funded by supporters like you – and it's proof that these efforts are working.

Imagine what a difference this new research could make for children and their families across the country. And if we can get this bill onto the President's desk, it can become a life-changing reality – but first we need the support of your Senators, now!